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History

For nearly 40 years, Hospice of the Western Reserve has cared for Northern Ohio.

1970-1980

1978

Founded as Cancer Family Service in Lake County, Ohio.

1980-1989

1981

Becomes
Hospice of Lake County, Inc. with an office in Mentor, Ohio.

1984

Hospice is certified by Medicare.

1985

Hospice of Lake County
receives accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations.

1989

The agency opens a new facility in Cleveland’s University Circle to better serve the Cuyahoga County area. Name changed to
Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc.

1990-1999

1990

Hospice of the Western Reserve merges with the
Hospice Network of Northern Ohio.

1991

Hospice of the Western Reserve becomes one of the first hospices in the state to receive licensure from the Ohio Department of Health.

1992

Pediatric Team is formed to focus on special needs of seriously ill children and their families.

1993

A new facility is opened in
Westlake, Ohio to better serve patients and families living in western Cuyahoga County.

Alternative Home Care Team is formed to focus on special needs of patients in nursing homes and other long-term care residential facilities.

1994

A new facility is opened in Solon, Ohio to better serve patients and families in that area.

AIDS Team is formed to focus on special needs of AIDS patients and families.

1995

Hospice House, the first residential hospice in Greater Cleveland, opens.

1996

An on-going fundraiser for the agency, the first Vista Tribute Walk dedication is held at Hospice House in May. The
Vista Walk is a winding pathway along the Lake Erie shoreline made of bricks, granite stones, garden walls and benches that feature honorary and memorial inscriptions.

1997

The
Hospice Institute is started in January to provide education and programming for healthcare professionals and the public about hospice and palliative care.

First professional conference is held in September and attended by more than 300 healthcare professionals from across the country.

1998

Agency celebrates its 20th year of providing care to the terminally ill and their families. Hospice staff continues to travel nationally and abroad, sharing hospice philosophy and information about end-of-life care.

1999

Hospice of the Western Reserve, in collaboration with University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, embarks on a three-year project that integrates hospice workers with Ireland Cancer Center staff. This new team is treating lung cancer patients and their families and pioneering a new protocol for care.

The agency starts the
Bereavement Center — not a physical structure but a program that provides members of the community with grief support, counseling and education.

2000-2009

2000

Agency cares for more than 550 patients per day (compared to 23 total for the year 1978) and increases its care of those under 25 years of age from 27 patients/families in 1999 to 59.

2001

Agency opens site to serve Lorain County.

2002

Hospice of the Western Reserve is a recipient of the Circle of Life Award in recognition of Project Safe Conduct, Hospice of the Western Reserve’s three-year partnership with Ireland Cancer Center that was started in 1999. The National Hospice of Palliative Care Organization honors Project Safe Conduct with an award for Excellence in Education, and CEO David Simpson receives the Heart of Hospice Award in the Senior Executive category.

Hospice of the Western Reserve is chosen as one of the best places to work by NorthCoast99, an annual, year-long effort to identify 99 of the best places to work in Northeast Ohio.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) recognizes the program as winner of the 2003 Educational Program Designed to Increase Access to Hospice and Palliative Care.

2004

Hospice of the Western Reserve launches a specialized program for people with dementia, based on the growing prevalence of the disease.

Bridget Montana, Chief Operating Officer, receives the Heart of Hospice Award in the category of Senior Executive by the National Council of Hospice & Palliative Professionals.

The Perinatal Palliative Care Program receives the Rose & Sam Stein Award for its work with expectant parents of seriously ill unborn children.

The Baldwin-Wallace College Health Care Executive MBA class of 2004 recognizes CEO David Simpson for his Excellence in Health Care Leadership.

Connie Schultz, columnist and feature writer for The Plain Dealer, receives the Person of the Year Award by the Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization for her continued efforts in raising awareness about hospice care through her articles.

Hospice of the Western Reserve’s video, Path of Life, receives an honorable mention in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization 2004 Film Contest.

2005

Hospice House celebrates its 10th anniversary of being built.

A new office opens in Lakewood.

The Ashtabula Office relocates to a new facility.

Agency reaches a daily census of more than 1,000 patients and participates in the Shoreline Protection Project and Ames Family Viewing Deck Dedication.

2007

Hospice of the Western Reserve launches the
“Peaceful & Proud” initiative to train staff on PTSD, remorse and regret related to military service, substance abuse and how the unique experiences of veterans shape their end-of-life preferences.

2008

Hospice of the Western Reserve establishes the
End of Life Library, a specialized, virtual library serving the professional community, not just locally but also nationally.

2009

Hospice of the Western Reserve implements a 13-bed inpatient facility at The Renaissance in Olmsted Township, enhancing our efforts to provide residential hospice care in the west-side communities.

2010-present

2010

Hospice of the Western Reserve opens a Summit County office and increases access to care with the first full year of operation of the
Navigator program, a support system for patients who have transitioned off hospice services but can benefit from emotional support and caregiver assistance.

2017

2018

Western Reserve Care Solutions is formed as the parent company of Hospice of the Western Reserve and its related subsidiaries, it focuses on supporting individuals with advanced chronic disease and terminal illness. The parent company also allows for the creation of joint ventures and supportive businesses that align with the mission.

Hospice of the Western Reserve kicks off yearlong 40th Anniversary with celebration at David Simpson Hospice House.

2019

Stay tuned for exciting events planned for 2019 including the Blue Diamond Celebration in October.

Hospice of the Western Reserve is a community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit hospice, tax ID: 34-1256377 Your donation is tax-deductible as permitted by law.

OUR MISSION

Hospice of the Western Reserve provides palliative and end-of-life care,
caregiver support, and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio. In
celebration of the individual worth of each life, we strive to relieve
suffering, enhance comfort, promote quality of life, foster choice in
end-of-life care, and support effective grieving.

HEADQUARTERS

17876 St. Clair Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44110

MAIN LINE

800.707.8922

REFERRAL PHONE

216.383.3700

REFERRAL FAX

216.383.5298

Hospice of the Western Reserve is a community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit hospice, tax ID: 34-1256377 Your donation is tax-deductible as permitted by law.

OUR MISSION
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»

Hospice of the Western Reserve provides palliative and end-of-life care,
caregiver support, and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio. In
celebration of the individual worth of each life, we strive to relieve
suffering, enhance comfort, promote quality of life, foster choice in
end-of-life care, and support effective grieving.